WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Breedlove started his career in the JuCo ranks at Long Beach City College, then transferred to Purdue for his final two seasons. He had a good season in Purdue’s rotation his senior year. His fastball supposedly sits in the low 90s and he commands it well, although it was only in the upper 80s early in the State College season. He also throws a slider. Breedlove signed quickly and profiles as an organizational pitcher.

2012A-: 1-0-0, 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 31.0 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 5.2 K/9

Breedlove pitched well out of the State College bullpen, with good numbers other than a low K rate.

Breedlove opened 2013 in extended spring training. The Pirates assigned him to West Virginia in early April, but reassigned him to extended spring training after he struggled in some of his outings. He made several appearances for Jamestown in June, then moved back up to West Virginia, where he pitched out of the bullpen the rest of the year. He had a lot more success after returning. In seven April outings he had an 11.88 ERA and .476 opponents’ average. In 19 appearances later in the year, he had a .245 opponents’ average, and 31/7 K/BB in 26.1 IP, numbers that were better than his ERA of 4.10. Breedlove had a mild platoon split, but it’s hard to say how much of that resulted from his early-season struggles. His K rate for the season was nearly double what it was the previous year.

Breedlove was successful enough after his return, especially the improved K rate, that the Pirates could move him up to Bradenton.